By Larry Claasen
ZERO Carbon Charge is looking for landlords around the country on major routes to house its electric vehicles (EV) charging stations.
The goal of the group is to have the first off-grid, 100% green electric charging network, which will use solar power to power the EVs. This network will comprise 120 off-grid solar powered electric passenger vehicle charging stations – at 150km intervals – to be completed by 2026.
EV drivers in the Western Cape, will be happy to know that there are plans to set up 17 electric passenger vehicle charging stations along the N1 between Cape Town and Pretoria.
For it to fulfill these goals, it needs landowners along the national routes to make land available for it to them.
“The entire network of 120 charging stations will create an income stream for landowners on which these facilities are built. Landowners will earn 5% of the revenue generated from vehicles charging on their land and will also be able to use any surplus electricity generated by the Solar PV panels at the charging stations,” said Zero Carbon Charge in response to CBN’s questions.
The setting up of the charging station network comes as there is an increase in EV sales, with naamsa reporting sales by 17 industry brands, showing an 88% from 2 034 units in the third quarter 2023 to 3 824 units in the third quarter 2024.
The first off-grid, ultra-fast, charging station was set up on the N12 between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad, at the Leeudoringstad turnoff, in the North West Province, in November.
“We are thrilled to be officially opening our first off-grid charging station, which marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s transition to EVs and a carbon-free future. This has been a three year journey, highlighting our commitment to making our off-grid network a reality as we believe it will benefit South Africans in multiple ways,” said Joubert Roux, executive chairman of Zero Carbon Charge.
The off-grid EV charging station in Wolmaransstad boasts six state-of-the-art DC fast charging points for EVs, and two AC charging points for plug-in hybrids.
The DC fast chargers are able to charge a vehicle in about 25 minutes depending on the EV model. Motorists will also be able to enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat at the farm stall located at the station.
Zero Carbon Charge says it has developed an app available for both Android and iOS, for customers that will offer a seamless, user-friendly experience for managing their charging needs and transactions at its EV charging stations.
“We believe that the rollout of our off-grid charging stations across the country will serve as a crucial catalyst for EV migration in South Africa. Zero Carbon Charge’s own research shows that an EV charged from Eskom’s predominantly coal-fired power grid indirectly emits 5,8 tons of CO2 per year. In comparison, an average petrol-powered car emits only 4,4 tons of CO2 per year. It is clear that the development of a network off-grid, with renewably powered EV charging stations, is the only way we will reduce transport emissions in the country,” said Roux.
For more information: https://charge.co.za/
